Grand Valley engineering students graduate, showcase projects

Graduating students displayed their senior projects at the School of Engineering's 14th annual Design Conference and Graduation August 3. The projects were designed and built to address problems and needs of area companies.

The conference celebrates the completion of the Capstone Design Program, in which teams of senior engineering students solve real-world engineering design problems sponsored by participating industries and organizations.

The day concluded with the Order of the Engineer ceremony, which is a special commencement ritual for some 74 engineering students who participated. Some graduates earn their degrees later than the traditional spring ceremony because they must complete a year-long co-op experience. Each student received an iron ring, placed on the little finger of the working hand, which symbolizes bridging the step between training and experience.

Sponsors of the senior projects include: Attwood, Cameron, Eagle Packaging, Engine Power Components, Epoch Robotics, Gentex, Gill Industries, Herman Miller, Johnson Controls, Inc., L-3 Communications, Magnum Engineering, Medallion Instruments, Rapid-Line and SAF-Holland.